Page 78 of The Prize

“Wilder!”

“Follow my lead,” said Tobias darkly.

I turned and a jolt of terror chilled my veins—

I recognized the pretty face concealing Eli Burell—that brown hair parted in the middle into a foppish style and that velvet jacket and black slacks worn to round out his arty arrogance. There, beside him, stood four men and all of them were dressed in dark suits. They looked like well-scrubbed mercenaries who’d tasted murder and liked it.

This was what Tobias had struggled to protect me from.

“What a surprise to see you here,” Tobias announced with a chilling composure. “Great minds think alike.”

“I was just thinking the same thing, Wilder.” Eli glanced over at me. “Romantic setting. Nice to see you two are still together. Two birds and all that.”

“Ever the charmer, Eli,” Wilder taunted. “How did you find us?”

Eli shrugged. “I put it down to luck.”

If Tobias was scared, he didn’t show it. He merely moved closer to me.

“We missed you both when you left my party abruptly.” Eli tugged at his shirtsleeve. “I for one was hoping you were dead when you leaped off the roof.”

“I was hoping you were going to jump after me.” Tobias grinned. “No such luck, apparently.”

“It’s over, Wilder.”

“Funny, I thought things were just getting good.”

“Let’s have that chat.”

“I don’t believe we have anything to talk about,” said Tobias.

Eli scoffed. “You brought the FBI to our door when you gate-crashed our wedding in Arizona—” He glared at me. “Juliet, I mean Zara Leighton, employee of Huntly Pierre.”

“How’s Noodle?” I sounded calm even though my heart was jackhammering.

“Our Bengal tiger has developed a taste for fresh blood.” Eli raised his brows. “And I love to see him happy.”

Tobias straightened. “Maybe we could set up a meeting with your dad. At a time that is more convenient to us? Cut out the middleman.”

“Stop wasting everyone’s time.” Eli turned to go. “I’m going to let my men have that chat on my behalf. If you’ll excuse me.”

“Let us go,” snapped Tobias.

“After all the trouble I’ve gone to in finding you?” Eli sneered.

Tobias looked at me and I knew he was waiting for my permission before he replied to Eli; he needed my blessing on the darkest deed I’d ever committed.

“Eli.” I turned to face him. “I’ve seenher.”

Tobias gave a nod to clarify. “Let us go and we’ll share what we know on this rare piece.”

“That’s why you’re in New York?” Eli narrowed his gaze on us.

Tobias gave a nod. “This insider knowledge will come with a caveat.”

“Sounds fucking boring,” snapped Eli, but his irises were dilated and his jaw tense and his neck flushed with intrigue.

“I’m giving you an insider scoop,” added Tobias.